Team

Joana is a Mozambican conservation biologist from Maputo, who has been working on Vamizi for over 3 years. She did the field work for her master’s degree on the green turtle nesting population on Vamizi, and returned to the island soon after to start working on our project. Joana is passionate about sea turtle conservation, and oversees our nest monitoring project on a daily basis. She also gets involved in all the research being done on the island, collecting data for our shark tagging project as well as learning from other researchers who are attracted by our amazing Nature. Joana also coordinates our volunteer project, helping them get immersed in our work and making sure they have a enriching experience.

ISABEL SILVA

RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Isabel is a Portuguese marine biologist who has been working in Mozambique and Vamizi for 10 years. Isabel has recently been awarded a PhD for her work on co-management of fisheries, and how it contributes to conservation. Isabel is a professor at the University of Lúrio, and coordinates all research conducted on the island. Isabel also brings her own students to the island to conduct field work for their bachelor dissertations. She was greatly involved in the creation of the Community Council for Fisheries (CCP), and coordinates our work with the Small Scale Fisheries Institute and other fisheries related organizations.

CARDOSO LOPES

CHIEF MONITOR

Born in Pemba, Cardoso has been working on Vamizi since 2003. Cardoso oversees the work of the monitors every day, making sure all of our daily projects are running smoothly. From the early morning daily turtle patrols in search of new nest activity, to replanting of mangroves and other native fauna, Cardoso coordinates everyone’s efforts and reports to the managers. Not many people know Vamizi like he does, and over 10 years of experience working on the island mean Cardoso is a very important member of the team.

WAKATI DAUDE

CONSERVATION MONITOR

Wakati was born in Memba and has been working on Vamizi since 2003. With many years of experience as a fishermen, Wakati know the seas around Vamizi like if they were his home, and is our main skipper. When he is not taking the team and other researchers diving or running sanctuary patrols, Wakati too spends time doing turtle patrols, replanting, and any other projects we are busy with.

RAUFO MIJAI

CONSERVATION MONITOR

Raufo is from Olumbi and has been working on Vamizi since 2005. Our apprentice skipper, Raufo also knows Vamizi’s waters like a second home, and has been learning how to sail it from Wakati. Turtle patrols, replanting and generally taking care of our island’s Nature are also part of Raufo’s activities. Raufo has an open water dive certificate, and is great in our fish tag and release project.

MOMADE ISSA

CONSERVATION MONITOR

The youngest member of our team, Momade is from Olumbi and has been working in Vamizi sine 2013. Momade is our green thumb, having joined the team to take over our replanting project. Soon after he started learning about our other projects, and now participates in all our activities. He is part of our turtle monitoring team, and has also participated in the tag and release project, sanctuary patrols, amongst others.